Ayurvedic enema therapy (basti) inserts medicines like sesame oil or herbal decoctions like dashamoola into the rectum in a liquid media. Many vata problems, such as constipation, abdominal distension, sleeplessness, backache, neck pain, arthritis, sciatica, anxiety, and many psychological illnesses, are relieved by medicated enemas.
There are at least eighty vata-related diseases, and basti is considered to provide a comprehensive therapy for 80% of them. Basti can also be used to treat persistent fever, sexual problems, kidney stones, hyperacidity, and a variety of other ailments.
NOTE: Anyone suffering from diarrhea, rectum hemorrhage, indigestion, cough, dyspnea, ascites, profuse edema, or aggressive hemorrhoids should avoid medicated enemas.
Medicated enemas should not be used by anyone with diabetes or anemia, the elderly, or children under the age of seven.
If you have an acute fever, diarrhea, cold, paralysis, heart trouble, severe gastrointestinal discomfort, or emaciation, you should avoid using oil enemas.
- The optimum times to eat basti are early in the morning or late in the evening. Wait at least three hours after eating to ensure that your stomach is empty.
- Ensure that the environment is clean, warm, and welcoming: It's preferable to find a spot near the toilet where you can lie down.
- An enema bag or syringe, a measuring cup, a hot plate or burner (not in the bathroom! ), the oil and/or herbal item, and towels are all required.
- To do basti, first inject 5 ounces of warm (not hot) sesame oil into the rectum and hold it there for 10 minutes.
- After that, without expelling the oil, add a mixture of oil and herbal tea and keep it for at least 30 minutes.
- Another 5 ounces of sesame oil should be combined with 16 ounces (1 pint) of herbal tea brewed in boiling water, then filtered and chilled to around body temperature.
- Dashamoola, which is particularly effective for regulating vata, is the most commonly recommended herbal mix.
- To get the fluid into the rectum, start with the enema bag, which should be suspended about 3 feet above your head.
- Allow all of the air to escape the tube before closing the hose clip.
- Then lie on your left side on the floor, with your left (bottom) leg extended and your right (top) leg exceed at the knee. (Rather of laying on a bare floor, prepare a rug or a couple of towels to sleep on.)
- Using oil or ghee, lubricate the syringe's tip.
- Make sure the anal region is lubricated and clean. Insert the syringe tip into the rectum slowly and carefully, then remove the clip and let all of the fluid to enter.
- Remove the tip when the enema bag is empty.
- Hold the oil for 10 minutes again, and then the oil/herbal mixture for another 30 minutes if possible. Assume a hands-and-knees position and lift the buttocks while holding the fluid within; this relaxes the colon.
- Lightly massage the colon region with a counterclockwise motion on a regular basis (as seen when you look down toward your navel). Massage up to the rib cage on the left side, then over to the right and down. (This is the reverse of how food passes through the colon, and it helps to force the enema fluid up into the upper sections.)
- Sit on the toilet and allow the fluid and fecal matter to pass once the specified time has passed (or if you just can't hold it any longer).
- Because there is likely to be some residual oil seepage after basti, you may want to wear a sanitary pad in your underwear for a few hours.
It's worth noting that for some of the disorders covered, only an oil enema, a dashamoola enema, or even a warm water enema is indicated. Follow the instructions for that particular condition.
The fluid does not come back out for certain people. That just implies the colon was exceedingly dry and the fluids had been absorbed completely. This is completely normal and causes no concern.
You may also want to read more about Ayurveda and Holistic Healing here.